Art Month Sydney 2012
Sydney’s Largest Annual Celebration of Contemporary Art
300 artists
200 events
100 galleries
and you
Art Month Sydney Brings Art Alive this March
Sydney, Australia: Art Month Sydney 2012 has unveiled its full program which promises a more diverse list of events than ever before, with over 200 artists exhibiting at more than 100 artist run spaces, commercial and public art galleries across Sydney.
Running from 1 until 25 March, Art Month Sydney 2012 is the third annual contemporary art festival that celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of visual art in Sydney.
The full program is now live at www.artmonthsydney.com.au where visitors can search an interactive calendar of events, tours and exhibitions. The new website also offers behind the scenes interviews with artists, videos and an image gallery, and it is accompanied by the first ever dedicated Art Month Sydney iPad application.
Building on the success of the inaugural event in March 2010, Art Month Sydney 2012 is designed to engage newcomers and existing art lovers alike with a dynamic calendar of events includes talks, tours, performances, art bars and late night gallery openings.
2012 Artistic Director, Eliza Muldoon, believes Art Month Sydney is about engaging Sydneysiders with the work of contemporary artists. Eliza says: “We want people to get excited about contemporary art and to make them feel both welcomed and involved.”
Art at Night
For Art Month Sydney 2012, visitors can enjoy the vibrancy of art after-hours with the dedicated ‘Art at Night’ program. On Thursday and Friday evenings throughout Art Month Sydney, they can take advantage of extended opening hours at targeted arts precincts across the city. Take a DIY tour of local galleries from 6.00-8.00pm before heading to the closest Art Bar where FBi DJs, performances and drinks will be served from 8.00pm until late at the Audi Bars across Sydney.
For ‘Art at Night’, six dedicated Precinct Art Bars will be held in the following locations:
• Paddington/Woollahra Precinct party:
8 March at Mick Gallery, with drinks and FBi djs at Audi Art Bar from 8pm
• Rozelle/Balmain Precinct party:
9 March at Artereal Gallery, with drinks and FBi djs at Audi Art Bar from 8pm
• Waterloo/Alexandria Precinct party:
15 March at Sullivan and Strumpf, with drinks and FBi djs at Audi Art Bar from 8pm
• Darlinghurst/East Sydney Precinct party:
16 March at National Art School Gallery, with drinks and FBi djs at Audi Art Bar from 8pm
• Chippendale/Redfern Precinct party:
22 March at White Rabbit Gallery, with drinks and FBi djs at Audi Art Bar from 8pm
• Surry Hills Precinct party:
23 March at Chalkhorse Gallery with drinks and FBi djs at Audi Art Bar from 8pm
Exhibitions
The Exhibitions strand showcases work by nearly 200 artists in a diverse range of exhibitions across Sydney for Art Month 2012. Pick a gallery you’ve never visited before, look for the Art Month Sydney sticker in the window and take a look inside.
Highlight exhibitions include:
Grant Stevens at gallery barry keldoulis, Nike Savvas at Breenspace, Laith McGregor at Sullivan + Strumpf Fine Art, Marco Fusinato at Anna Schwartz Gallery, the opening of Galerie pompom (part of MOP), Craig Waddell at gallery 9, Jasper Knight at Australian Galleries, Roylston St, Oliver Watts at Chalk Horse, Euan McDonald and Andrew Blythe at Darren Knight Gallery, William Kentridge at Annandale Galleries, Fred Sandback at Jensen Gallery, McLean Edwards at Martin Browne Contemporary, Hugh Ford at Iain Dawson Gallery as well as Paul Davis at Tim Olsen. In addition, the internationally lauded Red Gate Gallery, Beijing will present a touring exhibition of artists at Damien Minton Gallery. A number of galleries will also present artist floor talks as part of Art Month Sydney.
Conversations
The Conversations arm of the Art Month Sydney program provides an opportunity for experts to answer the everyday questions and misconceptions that often surround contemporary art. From emerging to established artists, the unknown and the notorious, it is a rare chance to hear from Sydney’s contemporary art influencers on what they believe makes good art and importantly, why.
Key debate topics include:
• Finding the line between art and design
Date: 7 March, 6pm. Location: Object Gallery. A thought-provoking discussion about the intersection of art and design. Speakers include Trent Jansen, designer and Andrew van der Westhuyzen, director of Collider and Liane Rossler, designer.
• My three year old could do that
Date: 18 March, 3pm. Location: Firstdraft. Listeners will hear insights from critically acclaimed naive and abstract artists about their practice and working process. The artists will also discuss why they are drawn to these seemingly simple art forms. Speakers include Oliver Watts, artist, gallerist and academic, and artists David Capra and Joseph Briekers and Amelia Wallin, Firstdraft co-director, as chair. The discussion will be followed by the launch of Firstdraft’s Annual Fundraiser Print Edition by artist Tom Polo.
• Man, they’ve totally sold out. Do artists really have to suffer for their art?
Date: 21 March, 6pm. Location: Gallery Barry Keldoulis. A discussion about prosperity versus integrity in the arts. We address the ‘starving artist’ cliché and ask if artists need to compromise their creative instincts to get by. Speakers include: gallerist Barry Keldoulis, artist Dara Gill and artists Kate Mitchell and Katherine Brickman of Greedy Hen.
• Emerging in the Arts: Achieving Acclaim in Australia today
Date: 22 March, 4pm. Location: Artspace. What happens between graduating from art school and becoming an exhibiting artist? Sydney artists that have experienced relatively recent success discuss how they got there. They also look at the wider topic of achieving acclaim as an emerging artist in Australia today. Speakers include Adam Geczy, Kate Mitchell and Adam Norton.
• John Kaldor in Conversation with Fenella Kernebone
Date: 14 March, 2pm. John Kaldor AM is a dedicated collector, patron and supporter of contemporary art. He has been collecting and commissioning art since the late 1950s. Since 1969, he has also shared his love of art with the Australian public through his series of art projects. Kaldor discusses what has inspired his multi-faceted commitment to the visual arts in Australia.
• David Gonski in Conversation with Eliza Muldoon
Date: 22 March, 12.30pm. Location: Custom’s House. A discussion on the nexus of Art and Business between David Gonski and Art Month Sydney Artistic Director Eliza Muldoon. Gonski discusses his passion for the arts and how to strengthen the relationship between business and the arts. David Gonski is The Chairman of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited (the Australian subsidiary of Investec Bank PLC), ASX Ltd, Coca-Cola Amatil Limited and Ingeus Ltd and is a Director of Singapore Airlines Limited. He is also Chancellor of the University of New South Wales and the Sydney Theatre Company.
• Bluffers Guide to Contemporary Art with Andrew Frost
Date: 14, 21, 28 March, 6.30pm. Location: Michael Reid Gallery. Art critic, writer and broadcaster Andrew Frost will guide you through everything you’ll ever need to know to bluff your way in contemporary art. By the end of the series you’ll be able to make astute observations about the work of emerging and established artists, such as “I feel like it’s just not resolved…” and sound like you really mean it. This talk is a series of three.
• Mike Parr in Conversation with Susan Gibb
Date: 2 March, 6pm. Location: NAS Cell Block gallery. Mike Parr is widely regarded as one of the most gifted living Australian artists and as the most outstanding Australian artist of his generation. In this conversation Parr discusses the evolution of his career from Art School and Inhibodress through to current practices.
• Thinking outside the white cube – innovative audience engagement
Date: 5 March, 6pm. Location: Australia Council office. Art Month Sydney and SAMAG (Sydney Arts Management Advisory Group) join forces to present a thought provoking discussion about alternative ways of engaging audiences with contemporary art. A panel of leading contemporary art practitioners will share innovative strategies for reaching a wider audience. Sebastian Goldspink, Alaska Projects; Kelly Robson, Gaffa Gallery; Iain Dawson of Iain Dawson Gallery.
• Speed Dating for Artists
This event is a unique networking opportunity for 20 emerging Australian artists. Over 300 artists applied for the chance to show their work to Sydney’s top galleries. 20 talented artists were selected to meet with 20 of Sydney’s top gallerists in this special Art Month Sydney curated event.
Creating
Creating is a key focal point of the 2012 Art Month Sydney program, providing a rare chance for beginners to learn the basics of various contemporary art practices from leading Australian artists. The Wonderful Weekend Workshops for adults include everything from paper cutting sessions to traditional life drawing classes, and sessions in the exquisite Korean Hanji crafts. Roll up your sleeves and awaken your inner artisan.
Highlights from the ‘Creating’ workshops program include:
• Found Object Jewellery Making Workshop
Date: 4 March, 2pm. Location: Gaffa
• Drawing and Painting Making Workshop
Date: 4 March, 2pm. Location: Art Est.
• Sketch Club
Date: 7 March, 2pm. Location: Kudos Gallery.
• Hanji Craft Making Workshop
Date: 17 March, 2pm. Location: Korean Cultural Office. A beginners drawing and painting workshop.
• Edible Storytelling Tour
Date: 18 March, 11am. Location: Casula Powerhouse.
Sydney artist and keen naturalist Diego Bonetto will lead a workshop to inspire the naturalist in all of us,
and collect and record the Wild Stories we carry.
• Digital Art Making Workshop
Date: 24 and 25 March 2012, 10am. Location: Hazlehurst Gallery
Students will learn how to make a short digital video from storyboard through to editing and final compositing in Final Cut Pro. This workshop is led by John A Douglas – an emerging intermedia artist who works in digital and analogue photomedia and video installation. This is a two-part workshop.
Art Appreciation
Interested in buying art but not sure where to start within the endless array of commercial galleries? Targeted at everyone from first-time art collectors to seasoned professionals, the ‘Art Appreciation’ sessions help to demystify the art buying process and create informed discussions about the art market in Australia today. Hear from experts about what’s hot, what to buy and how.
Key ‘Art Appreciation’ talks include:
• Art Buying 101
Date: 3 March, 2pm. Location: Iain Dawson Gallery and Australian Galleries.
Iain Dawson and Erin Stapleton from Australian Galleries take participants behind the scenes and into the gallery stockroom to break down the art buying process. Iain and Erin will offer expert tips and tricks for making the right choices for art enthusiasts at all interest levels.
• Uncollectable Art
Date: 11 March, 2.00pm. Location: Fraser Studios.
Some of Australia’s most committed ‘uncollectable artists’ and artist-run collectives discuss what it that means to create art which cannot be bought. They explain why they are committed to such practise and the overall impact of ‘uncollectable art’ on the industry. Speakers include: Keg De Souza, Sarah Rodigari from Field Theory. Hosted by Bronwyn Bailey-Charteris, editor and director of Das Superpaper.
• Collecting Glass, Art and Ceramics
Date: 24 March, 2.00pm. Location: Sabbia Gallery.
Glass collecting is one of the fastest growing art forms in Australia today. This discussion focuses on the best way to begin a glass art collection, what to look out for and which artists to watch in 2012. Speakers include Anna Grigson, Director of Sabbia Gallery.
• The Public Life of the Private Collection
Date: 17 March, 2.00pm. Location: 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.
Do private collections have a public role? What motivates a collector to share their collection and what role have private collections played in the formation of a contemporary Asian art discourse in Australia? Aaron Seeto leads this discussion of the development of contemporary Asian art in Australia, from the 1980s through to the present.
• Trendspotting: Where do trends come from and what do they mean?
Date: 24 March, 3pm. Location: Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation.
A lively discussion of trends in contemporary art today. This panel considers where trends emerge from, what influences them, and the extent to which they shape artistic practice. Speakers include John McDonald, art critic, Lisa Corsi, of safARI; and Katie Dyer, from the National Art School Gallery.
Art and Food
Art and Food are a natural harmony. Engage the senses and encounter art in a relaxed and delicious environment as artists, chef and designers come together to share their passions in a cross collaboration of talents. The Art and Food component is a feast for the eyes and the soul.
Highlights include:
• Belle Magazine Dinner
Date: 20 March, 6.30pm. Location: Carriageworks. Cost: $125. Guests join art dealer and critic Michael Reid, Belle editor Neale Whitaker and artists Danie Mellor & Nathan Taylor for an evening of fine food, wine, art and conversation. Michael will discuss contemporary Australian landscape and how the art of this continent has contributed two great traditions to the world of art.
• Beer and Fries
Date: 11 March, 3pm. Location: Lord Nelson Hotel and Gallery 8. A conversation with artist Kath Fries and curator Megan Robson. A unique chance to view Fries’ new work, understand her process and enjoy a free tasting of boutique beers from The Lord Nelson Hotel’s brewery next door. Kath Fries creates site-sensitive installations using natural elements and domestic materials. In her most recent work she works with bronzing natural materials.
• Artist Workshop and Sumptuous Two Course Dinner
Date: 24 March, 3.30pm. Location: Mission Restaurant. Cost: $125 A special paper art workshop and dinner event. The workshop will be run by acclaimed paper architect Benja Harney. Following there will be a 2 course dinner downstairs at Mission Restaurant Bar which includes a glass of wine. Head chef, David Walker, will present an exclusive menu for your pleasure. No materials needed – just bring yourselves – all art supplies are included in the cost. We suggest that you wear an apron or an old shirt to protect your clothing. The workshop suits all levels of experience, beginners welcome!
• R.O.C.K.E.T Retreat
Date: 10 – 11 March. Location: Firstdraft Depot Gallery. Free
R.O.C.K.E.T is Raw Organic COFA Kids Eat Together. They meet collectively each week to prepare and share delicious food and discuss all things RAWsome. The inaugural R.O.C.K.E.T Retreat is launching at the Firstdraft Depot, Woolloomooloo on March 10 and 11, where they will occupy the Depot and car park discussing new methods of dietary fitness and new approaches to environmentally responsible living. The R.O.C.K.E.T team would like to invite the young, the old and the in-between to join them in their exploration and celebration of all that is RAWsome.
See link for Rocket events during Art Month Sydney.
http://www.artmonthsydney.com/2012-program/r-o-c-k-e-t-retreat
Family
Art Month Sydney offers such a wide variety of interactive events that there is something to suit any age group. Art Adventure (Kids workshops) take place across the city and target young people of all ages, ranging from mobile phone photography classes for teens to story book reading sessions with the artist for the very little ones.
Family Art Month Sydney event highlights include:
• Book Reading: A Song for Lorkie.
Date: 3 March, 3pm. Location: Arthouse Gallery. A special event for very little art lovers at ArtHouse Gallery. We invite children and their parents to participate to a sit down reading of Jennifer Castles latest children’s book A song for Lorkie. Artist and illustrator Dean Bowen will be present at the event will draw/paint while the story is being read by Jennifer.
• Art Adventure: Two workshops at Tali Gallery
Date: 17 March, 10am. Two workshops at once. For older ones: didgeridoo playing with the legendary Charlie McMahon, using the Didgeribone, developed by Charlie himself. For littlies: Boobook, Dreamtime Owl Stories will inspire the creation of an Owl Artwork using simple mosaics which the little artists will take home.
• Art Adventure: Papercutting with Gregory and Watts
Date: 10 March, 10am. Location: Chalkhorse gallery. Explore the possibilities of paper with artist duo Gregory and Watts. Kids will get creative with shape, colour and texture. Designed for kids aged between 7-11 years. Parents must attend.
• Art Adventure: Mobile Phone Photography
Date: 24 March, 10am. Location: Stills gallery. A Mobile Phone Photography workshop for 12 – 16 year olds taking its cue from the photographic exhibition by Trent Parke. Participants will use their own phones and learn key photo principles.
Art Month Tours
• Perambulating Prams Paddington
Date: 7 March, 11am. A baby friendly tour of galleries in the Paddington area.
• Contempo Tours #1
Date: 8 March, 6pm. Cost: $45. An evening walking tour of galleries in the Paddington precinct culminating in the Paddington Audi Art Bar at MiCK Gallery where members will have the chance to kick on after the tour. Refreshments provided.
• Contempo Tours #2
Date: 17 March, 1pm. Cost: $45. Let Contempo explain the foundations of Sydney’s artistic output. This coach tour will take you to artist-run-initiatives operating in the inner west, with the opportunity to speak to curators and emerging artists, concluding at the Serial Space Suitcase markets. Refreshments provided.
• Art Cycle Tours
Art Month Sydney in conjunction with Art Cycle Incorporated will be running a series of cycling tours that will take you into the heart of some of Sydney’s art neighbourhoods. Participants will visit several galleries on each tour and will have access to gallery floor talks.
Art Cycle #1 – Inner West Trail (St Peters to Marrickville) Date: 3 March, 11am. Meeting point: Newtown Square.
Art Cycle #2 – Bourke Street (Surry Hills to Darlinghurst) Date: 10 March, 11am. Meeting point: Bourke Street Cycleway.
Art Cycle #3 – CBD (The Rocks to Redfern) Date: 17 March, 11am. Meeting point: Circular Quay Train Station.
Art Cycle #4 – Paddington (Woollahra to Elizabeth Bay) Date: 24 March, 11am. Meeting point: Edgecliff Train Station
As well as Cycle and Family based tour, Art Month Sydney this year offers an extensive number of ARI Tours: Artist and Curator-led tours of Artist Run Initiatives. Check the Art Month Sydney website for details.
Art Off-Site
You don’t even have to visit an art gallery to experience the best of Sydney’s contemporary art scene this March. Art Offsite means you can experience art in unexpected and surprising locations. Keep an eye out at Sydney’s theatres, residential buildings and even your own office entrance for a glimpse at quality art works by some of the best and brightest artists in Sydney today.
Highlights of the Art Off-Site program include:
• Pat Corrigan Indigenous Collection – Special Viewing
Date: 6 March, 6pm. Location: SBS head office. Guests are invited to this special champagne viewing of 38 indigenous art works on loan from leading indigenous art collector Pat Corrigan. This is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at the SBS Studio to view this significant private collection. Jane Raffan (respected indigenous art professional) will introduce both the collection and the collector. Pat Corrigan’s collection features paintings by Indigenous artists from across Australia, including the Western Desert, Utopia Region and Far Northern Queensland.
• Suitcase Market
Date: 17 March, 10am. Location: Serial Space.
Taking inspiration from Brisbane’s amazing Suitcase Rummage market, Serial Space will hold a suitcase market in Chippendale during March. It’s a simple formula: ARI’s and art students fill a suitcase and hock their wares in an outdoor market at Serial Space. All vendors must sell their wares from a single suitcase – no trestle tables or clothes racks, no fuss. Vendors will be selling everything from vintage clothes, emu eggs, novelty t-shirts, zines, books, self-help manuals, craft, art & art related ephemera, cards, hand-made jewellery, baked goods, children’s toys & records.Come and trawl through their treasures. All welcome, bartering encouraged.
• The Art of Single Frame Audi Exhibition Launch.
Date:21 March, 6pm Location: AUDI Centre Sydney, Zetland. To celebrate the launch of Audi’s new Contemporary Art sponsorship program, Audi Centre Sydney will be hosting this exhibition for the first time outside Europe. Featuring a series of sculptural pieces created by students from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava, each piece reflects the design language of the iconic Singleframe grille currently featured on all Audi models. Each young artist has also reimagined the Singleframe for a greener future. Audi Centre Sydney invites Art Month Sydney supporters to join the exhibition launch on 21 March.
• Belvoir Theatre and Griffith Theatre
Two of Sydney’s most established independent Theatre Companies, Belvoir St and Griffin Theatre, host installations and exhibitions in a one-off collaboration during Art Month Sydney. Visit Griffin Theatre during March and explore the crossover between contemporary art and performance. Griffin presents works by contemporary Australian photographer Deborah Paauwe. Belvoir Theatre hosts the dLux anthology, showcasing the work of some of the most important Australian artists working in video, film & digital imagery today.
Art Month Sydney for iPad
The first visual art festival app of it’s kind, Art Month Sydney for iPad is your FREE interactive guide to Sydney’s contemporary art festival.
Features include:
• Full event program
• Maps
• Videos
• Full exhibition listings
• Interviews and behind-the-scenes content
• Photo galleries
• Quick access to festival blog and twitter feed
For More Information
For further details of the program in the months prior to the event, visit www.artmonthsydney.com.au.
Don’t forget to check out the dedicated Art Month Sydney for iPad which is live from February 2012.
For further information including images and interview requests please contact:
Kym Elphinstone
0421 106 139
kym@articulatepr.com.au
Gabrielle Wilson
0433 972 915
gabrielle@articulatepr.com.au
